The new slimline Sophie

Perhaps it's her boyfriend Mick Jagger's known liking for long and slender blondes.

Perhaps she began to feel out of place among the waifs of the fashion world.

Whatever the reason, Sophie Dahl is looking half the full-figured girl she used to be.

The transformation was clear for all to see as the new sleek Sophie, currently visiting London, strolled around the shops in the West End sunshine.

'She is an extraordinarily tall girl and she looked absolutely stunning,' one onlooker said.

Since moving to New York and hiring a personal fitness trainer, the 6ft 24-year-old has lost at least 20lb.

That leaves her a mere shadow of the curvaceous figure which thrust itself into the spotlight four years ago, leading her to be hailed as the model real women could identify with.

Some critics claim she has betrayed bigger women by downsizing. But it has led to her winning lucrative deals with Versace, Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy, and passers-by certainly appeared to approve.

'She was getting a lot of admiring glances,' said the onlooker. 'Considering she made her name by having a body on the big size, it is funny to see her looking like the typical model.'

Sophie has been making regular trips to London over recent months as her relationship develops with Jagger.

The 57-year-old Rolling Stone is foot-loose and fancy-free following his parting from another blonde six-footer, Jerry Hall. He is said to be besotted with Sophie, who is four years younger than his daughter Jade, and has even taken to warbling love songs down the telephone to her.

She has spoken to friends about being 'in love' with him and has introduced him to her mother Tessa Dahl.